Creatine, the timeless supplement. I am already contemplating my unborn babies and what supplements they will take. I am clearly obsessed with the human body and the potential living inside all of us, even babies.
Creatine is one of the most thoroughly researched supplements out there and widely accepted as safe and effective for adults, even teenagers. As a society we are especially careful to use supplements on our children. This is where babies and pregnant women come in.
There has been some really interesting studies done. (1,2,3,4) I have seen possibilities of prevention to traumatic brain injury in children, improvement fetal and neonatal morbidity and reduce mortality in high-risk human pregnancy, and even a mouse study that creatine loading before birth significantly protects the diaphragm from hypoxia-induced damage at birth.
I was having a conversation with a friend in 2016 taking a biology course and his teacher was explaining he gives creatine to his entire family, three kids under 10 and his wife. This made me yell, “No Way!” as I was driving down the street and it gave me a good laugh but then I thought a little more about what he said.
This teacher is on to something GREAT. I’m not going to dive in to this deeper at the moment but it’s something to keep your ear to your ground about if science and the human body excites you.
If you aren’t familiar with Creatine read below or watch my video where I explain what it is and how to use it.
What Is Creatine?
Creatine is a molecule that supports energy in cellular function. It is known to cause strength increases between 12 and 20%. It is also known to aid in other cellular functions and aid in brain, bones, and liver health!
Possible Issues
Stomach issues are common from taking too much creatine and headaches are also a common occurrence without sufficient water consumption.
Examine.com has a great write up on EVERYTHING creatine. Check them out and see the studies they have researched. They have over 770 citations for creatine.
YES, SCIENCE ROCKS!
How to Take
“Creatine monohydrate can be supplemented through a loading protocol. To start loading, take 0.3 gram per kilogram of bodyweight per day for 5–7 days, then follow with at least 0.03 g/kg/day either for three weeks (if cycling) or indefinitely (without additional loading phases).” –Examine.com